Milner’s duo make six-bend debuts at Romford, with Irish Derby tilt a possibility
Avongate Venus and Keefill Goose make their six-bend debuts at Romford tonight in the heats of the Coral Coronation Cup over 575m. Doncaster trainer Phil Milner explains that decision, and discusses the potential of another crack at the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park
Milner’s duo make six-bend debuts at Romford, with Irish Derby tilt a possibility
Avongate Venus and Keefill Goose make their six-bend debuts at Romford tonight in the heats of the Coral Coronation Cup over 575m. Doncaster trainer Phil Milner explains that decision, and discusses the potential of another crack at the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park
Doncaster trainer Phil Milner enjoyed his best StarSports/TRC Greyhound Derby campaign so far with Keefill Maverick finishing fourth at the Quarter Final stage behind Slick Sentinel, and went close to making all the running in the Derek & Mark Burridge Trophies on Final’s night when picked up on the run for home by March On Freddie.
Two of his other runners, Avongate Venus, who won the PCS Legal Stakes on Derby final night in all-the-way fashion in 28.78, and Keefill Goose, who reached the final of the BGBF Truframe Champion Stakes when beaten by Romeo Steel, have been helping to fly the flag for the kennel during the Derby period, and Milner hopes their recent form can continue tonight at Romford. Both runners make their six-bend debuts in the heats of the Coral Coronation Cup over 575m and Milner explains the decision to step both of them up.
He said: “I was actually half-thinking about going to Sheffield for the Three Steps to Victory for Goose but then thought about it for Venus as well. Someone then mentioned Romford and the fact that they could both get off the front, so Keely and I had a chat and we both decided that we would rather go to Romford. The only downside with that is because of being out on Derby final night, we haven’t been able to give them a look round.
“Distance wise, I don’t think it will be a problem for either of them. It’s not a difficult distance to get really and Goose has been staying on strong to the trip at Towcester of late. He loves the 483m distance at Doncaster and it’s the same with Venus. She was pulling away when winning at Towcester last week, and the sun is shining so she will be happy, so I don’t see an issue with them staying the 575m out.
"In fact, Goose’s dad, Droopys Addition, won plenty of opens around Romford over the 575m, and was runner-up in the Coral Essex Vase in 2020, as well finishing third in the Champion Stakes Final in 2021, so hopefully he can go a long way here.
“Our two look to have drawn decent enough heats and we are hoping they will go well. They’ve got good early pace and if they come out in front, they could take plenty of catching and will learn from the look round. Obviously, Maxine Locke’s dogs are also a danger around Romford, and Mark Wallis’ New Destiny will be a short-priced favourite to win and deservedly so as she loves it there”
Possible targets after Romford are still in the planning stages, with Milner looking to take a week off at some point to recharge the batteries, but he does have plans in the pipeline for another crack at the Irish Derby at Shelbourne in August.
“I’ve got an itch to scratch about having another go at the Irish Derby,” he contnued.
“It’s a big undertaking and we’ve got a hell of a lot on, but it’s something we’ve got in mind and if we can things sorted out, then I might take a few other there. We went with Keefill Maverick last year and we loved the experience. The government have changed a few things with paperwork which could make the travelling a bit easier as well.
“If she doesn’t come into season, then Avongate Venus will be aimed at the Empress Stakes at Towcester which she won last year. Keefill Rocky has just started galloping and is going well following his injury, so if he is ok, he would definitely be on the boat along with Goose and Maverick, but we will see. It’s a massive step up and it’s tiring but we loved the whole experience last year."
Milner was also able to reflect on this year’s StarSports/TRC Greyhound Derby at Towcester.
“It was unbelievable from top to bottom. I took two big things out of it. The atmosphere around the kennels between trainers, kennelhands and owners - I’ve never known it be like such a big family. Tom Heilbron said the same, there was just a different feel this year. Everyone seemed to be willing each other on and it’s not often you get that in greyhound racing.
“The other thing is we’ve now got a hell of a lot of new people now following greyhound racing because of the Gone To The Dogs- Live! show. I put a lot of it on my work Facebook page, and the kennel Facebook page, and a lot of them tuned in to watch the coverage. My P.A who works with me is into her horses and aren’t a massive sporting family, but they sat down to watch it and they loved it. We came out of it saying we need to get a Derby dog for next year now! The fact we are still talking about the final nearly a week after it happened just shows what an amazing race it was.”
